Confirmed: Monaco sign French Ligue 2’s youngest-ever goalscorer Ilenikhena from Antwerp

Through a statement on their official website, Monaco have confirmed the signing of Lagos-born forward George Ilenikhena from Royal Antwerp.

Per club policy, AS Monaco have kept the length and financial terms of the deal confidential.

Ilenikhena arrived in France at the age of 3, in Antony (Hauts-de-Seine), where he began his career as a young footballer.

He is the second Nigerian-born player to depart Antwerp in the summer transfer window, following in the footsteps of Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke who joined Sevilla.

Ilenikhena appeared in 50 matches for Antwerp after transferring from Amiens last summer, and scored 14 goals, including the memorable winning goal against FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, which made him the youngest-ever Nigerian-born player to find the net in Europe's premier club competition.

When he scored against Bordeaux on January 13, 2023, he became the youngest-ever goalscorer in the history of Ligue 2, the French second tier. 

On October 29, 2023, aged 17 years and 74 days,  Ilenikhena became the youngest player to score in two consecutive Jupiler Pro League games since Romelu Lukaku in 2010 (16 years and 312 days). 

He will now continue his development at Monaco and will sport the number 21 shirt in the 2024-2025 season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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